Josef Frank Fabrics

Scandinavian textile design is synonymous (in this country) with the bold graphics of Finnish Marimekko and, more recently, the delicate prints of former Bay Area resident Lotta Jansdotter.

So we were surprised when we came across the strikingly rich and detailed botany textiles of their forebearer, Swedish Modernist Josef Frank.

Frank designed 200+ patterns in the years between 1909 and 1950, 34 of which are currently in production and available through the Svenkst Tenn website. The patterns are vared, at times evoking mid-century kineticism and bimorphism and at others the more staid florals of William Morris. But all the patterns have a sense of movement and freedom, which was much the point: Frank used nature's colors and shapes to open up the indoors and make urban homes into refuges from hectic lives.

Svenkst Tenn uses Frank's fabrics for pillows and upholstery, but you can buy the fabrics by the yard for your own home through their website.